July-December 2001 report

Activities

The first issue of the HLA national newsletter was published in July. The aim of the newsletter was to alert the general membership to HLA's formation and anticipated activity. Reports were also gathered that outlined each state and territory's intention to self-nominate as an ALIA group. The newsletter was sent to all previous Health Libraries Section members as well as new HLA members.

On 25 August 2001 fifteen interested health librarians participated in a strategic planning meeting with facilitator, Jan Murray, and determined the vision for HLA, broad goals and objectives, HLA's target audience and various aspects of the group's business operations.

The group will be aligning its activity around five goals: professional development; promotion; lobbying and advocacy; research and innovation; networking and collaboration. Each goal is referred to as a portfolio and is being managed by a portfolio leader. Portfolio leaders have set up reference groups made up of library and information professionals across Australia with particular interests and skills in the portfolios they are aligned with.

The HLA Executive is made up of the president, secretary, treasurer, five portfolio holders and the health convenor of the 2003 Specials, Health and Law Librarians' conference.

The outcomes of the strategic planning day were presented at the first general meeting of the HLA during August's Special, Health and Law Librarians' Conference (see Powerpoint file and have been communicated to the membership on the ALIA Health discussion list.

The majority of work from August to December has revolved around developing a strategic plan for 2002 and forming portfolio reference groups.

Budget: the majority of activities budgeted for in the initial self-nomination will roll over into 2002. A more comprehensive budget report can be provided by the HLA Treasurer, Veronica Delafosse.

Melanie Kammermann
HLA president
January 2002

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